  Spiritual
This week: When Fiction Inspires Reality Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline  
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Sometimes a song, story or movie finds us at just the right time to inspire a change. When that happens, it can be the start of a powerful, worthwhile experience.
This week's Spiritual Newsletter, then, is all about heading in a different direction.
kittiara |
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Sometimes you watch a movie or read a novel and, even though you may have watched it or read it before, you connect with it on a whole new level, and it expands your understanding or sparks a change in your life. I say “you”, whilst knowing that it doesn't happen to everyone. Still, it's not uncommon. It happened to me the other night.
The movie in question is, perhaps, an odd one to inspire a change. It isn't what you'd call a masterpiece. It also isn't particularly deep and meaningful. Yet, Pretty Woman made me realise what I've been ignoring for a while now. I can't keep carrying on the way I am, because it's not healthy, and it's not making me happy. And I don't need to, because I have the ability to do better.
The new year may still be some months away, but I don't have to wait until the first of January to get things going. Whilst I've perfected my procrastination skills over the years, I don't want to end up like my grandmother. I see the similarities between our lives and, therefore, the risk.
My grandmother became an increasingly fearful person and she began to isolate herself from the world. In the years before moving to a care home, she barely stepped outside of her front door and eventually spent her days in front of the television or staring out of the window. She recently passed away, and I can't help but wonder how different her life could have been, how much more she could have enjoyed herself, if she would have received the professional help she needed to overcome her anxiety.
I, too, suffer from anxiety and social phobia. I, too, don't go out much. Ever since I purchased a second-hand laptop it's been all too easy to sit in my bed and spend most of my time online. As mentioned above, that's not healthy. I need fresh air, exercise – I need to look after myself and do something constructive. I need to write more. Apply myself to my studies. Third-year philosophy isn't going to be easy. I need to be a better friend and a better relative. Reach out to others. And I need to get baptised.
The realisation that I need to get baptised hit me a few weeks ago. If you were to ask me how and why it happened, I wouldn't be able to give you an answer. It's an urge that's been growing inside of me, which turned into the knowledge that it's the right thing for me to do.
I'm not religious and therefore do not belong to a religious community. This is why I asked my step-grandmother (is that the right term?) if it is possible for me to be baptised. She feels that it is, because I have the required faith. As I'll have it done in her religious community, and she lives abroad, it won't happen until I next go over, which is in March. Now that the decision has been taken and plans have been made, though, I feel at peace with myself, at least about my spiritual well-being. My mental and physical well-being have to follow.
I think that there are times in our lives when we go through a transition. It's not just desirable, it's necessary. We change from babies into children, from children into teenagers, from teenagers into adults. Once we reach adulthood, we don't stop changing. We reach certain points when there are choices to be made, and we have to head in a new direction. It's all too easy to settle for safe and comfortable familiarity, when that comfort zone isn't actually doing us any good.
That transition is different for each and every one of us, driven by different needs at different times. I feel that one key component is that it should always drive us forward, in a positive direction. It is possible that this explains my desire to be baptised. It's a shedding of the old, and an embrace of the new. A spiritual fresh start.
Whatever age you are, it's never too late to enter into a new life phase. When it's time, you'll know it, and if you're willing to go along with it, it can be a little bit frightening, but exciting as well and, I'm sure, ultimately rewarding. Good luck!
kittiara
My questions for you this week are – have you ever read something, watched something or listened to something that sparked a change in you? If so, what was it and what happened?
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! {e;smile}
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy  - What a wonderful message of acceptance in a world of so many things to separate us. In or Out groups are a part of our lives, as you said; it's a challenge to all of us to reach out a bit more and find just how alike we are in this world. Thanks, dear friend, for listing one of my poems; I forget words I've written in one moment and are blessed at a later time when someone like you chooses a piece that came to me. I don't know if others remember every poem and story they've written; I don't until I read and think on it again. All of us here share with new groups of folks around the world and are blessed in doing so. I learn from you, you learn from me, we both learn from others 'out' there who have come here to be a new friend. Isn't this site a wonderful home with many 'in groups' to share our lives. ANN
Thank you, Ann! If anyone would know about tackling stereotypes, it would be you  . And yes, this website is a wonderful home to meet, interact with and befriend people from many different groups!
By the way, you aren't the only one who can't always remember everything they've written. It's the same for me!
~~~
Misty - I like this newsletter and hope I see the next one. My father always told us as we grew up to never judge a whole race by the actions of only a few. I've tried to live by this yet sometimes it is hard to not feel threatened by the way some people appear.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and thank you for reminding me as a christian to be compassionate.
Thank you very much for your kind words! I think most, if not all of us sometimes judge other groups of people unfairly. All we can do is be aware and try to overcome these judgements .
~~~
QueenOwl ~ A New Day Dawns  - Insightful and thought-provoking newsletter. Well said, Kitti.
QueenOwl.
Thank you very much for your kind words!
~~~
katesthename - I am so thankful that Jesus Wasn't a part of an in/out group. He Loved all, Bled for all, Died for all, Rose for all...He Loved all! Thank you for bringing to my attention about in/out groups. It's opportunity for me to surrender and be like Jesus. Hallelujah! Love that opportunity.
Thank you very much . I'm glad that my newsletter provided you with food for thought!
~~~
Lynda Miller  - Your article is great. It really hits home with many people. If one person would step-up and talk with those that are being shunned, maybe the rest would come around.
Keep on writing!
Lynda~Wishbone Laughing Tree
Thank you, Lynda . Your words remind me of the bystander effect. How, when someone's in trouble, they can be better off being spotted by just the one person than by a group of people. The person on his or her own knows that there's no-one else around to help, so the responsibility to act rests on their shoulders. When there's a group, people often look to those around them and if nobody else acts, it can be daunting to be the one who steps forward and does something different. Yet, if one person does decide to take action, it's easier for others to follow. So, perhaps that doesn't just apply to emergency situations, but also in the way you describe.
~~~
monty31802 - You made me stop and think. I do stereotype people. Not many but a few such as dirty unkempt with bad manners and dirty mouths. A fine N.L.
Thank you . I don't think many people are immune to stereotypes. They can even seem very innocent - how women are caring and nurturing, men are good with tools etc. After I wrote the newsletter, I realised that I tend to think of American people as outgoing and expressive, as that's the image that tends to be portrayed in movies and TV series. Yet, of course, there will be plenty of American people who are quiet and reserved.
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Imagine21 - Well written and very true. All of us have the ability to love.
Thank you. Yes, we certainly do!
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Elfin Dragon-finally published - Stereotyping doesn't just happen with people. It also happens with food, believe it or not. We pass up opportunities to try different things because we believe it won't taste good. It's a form of stereotyping. Just because you've never eaten calamari doesn't mean you won't like it. Just because you've never eaten at a Persian restaurant doesn't mean you won't like the food. Take a leap. Try something new. Not just with food but with people. Try talking to that tattooed big guy standing next to you at the bus stop. You'd be amazed at the interesting conversation you might have. And try that new Persian restaurant that just opened up. Food is often the gateway to new experiences.
Very, very true! I love to try different types of food. Though I do admit that I shy away from frogs legs and escargot...
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team
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Spiritual: October 08, 2014 Issue [#6592]
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